What's New
Right now,
America is failing to take advantage of our almost unlimited potential to
generate electricity from renewable sources of energy like wind and solar
power. Fortunately, support for clean energy is on the rise as more and more
people recognize the environmental and economic benefits of shifting away from
fossil fuels. 23 states have already adopted
renewable energy targets as high as 25 percent by 2020.
Building on
the momentum of Maryland and other states, we are calling on Congress to support a national
renewable electricity standard of 20 percent renewable energy by 2020. By
adopting this policy, Congress can help build a cleaner and more secure economy
for America, while reducing global warming pollution and making the U.S. once
again the world’s clean energy leader.
How You Can Help
We’re asking citizens to join us in calling on Congress to adopt a
Renewable Electricity Standard that would require that utilities
generate at least 20 percent of their electricity from clean, renewable
sources by 2020. Click here to take action.
Brief Summary
We
have only begun to scratch the surface of the potential renewable energy to
meet our electricity needs. Maryland
currently derives 96 percent of its energy from fossil fuel and nuclear power plants.
We could gradually phase out our dirtiest and most dangerous generators by
increasing the development of renewable energy sources. Twenty percent
renewable energy by 2025 is a realistic target.
Maryland's electric
utilities release 37 million tons of carbon dioxide and 1,500 pounds of mercury
annually, along with deadly soot pollution and other toxins. Each summer high
smog levels trigger 21,000 asthma attacks, send 360 children to the emergency
room, and cut short the lives of 560 Marylanders. And no safe disposal method
exists for radioactive materials from nuclear power plants like the Calvert
Cliffs facility. Right next to that plant, 900 tons of high-level radioactive
waste sits in temporary storage vessels.
